Read Forbidden Online

Authors: Vanessa Devereaux

Tags: #Contemporary/ Older Woman, #Younger Man

Forbidden (21 page)

BOOK: Forbidden
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“I can understand that. And yes, if it’s up to me then this is a long-term relationship. But if it makes it any easier I’ll pretend I’m just a house guest and then we can break the news about our relationship to them while we’re together.”

“I’d prefer that. I mean that they can see you and get to know you before I spring it on them.”

“So what have you been up to?”

“I got a contract to revamp a hotel. It’s beautiful already, overlooks a lake. And lots of work for me.”

“Maybe they’ll give us discount and we can spend a night or two there.”

“You know what I craved today?”

“Me,” Jon said.

Maggie laughed.

“Besides that.”

“Other than me? I’ve got no idea.”

“Ensaimades.”

“You even remembered their name.”

“Did I pronounce it correctly?”

“Yeah, we’ll have you speaking Spanish soon. In fact, I’ll give you some lessons while I visit.”

“I just kept remembering the taste and craved them all day long.”

“How about I bring a box of them with me when I visit?”

“You’re making me salivate just anticipating them in my mouth.”

“I hope there’s something else you’re looking forward to putting in your mouth too.”

“Oh yeah, you bring me a box of those and you’ll get the best blowjob you’ve ever had.”

“I’m making a note not to forget the ensaimades. And you feel like fooling around on the phone right now? Maybe talking dirty to me?”

“Oh yeah.”

* * * *

The next day, the doorbell rang just as Maggie was picking her car keys up off the kitchen counter. She opened it to see the Fed-Ex delivery man standing on her doorstep holding a box.

“Delivery for Maggie Rogers,” he said.

“That’s me.”

He handed her the box. After she signed for it, he headed down the driveway towards his truck. She glanced at the package. It had an overnight express delivery stamp on it and a Mallorca return address.

She was running late but curiosity got the better of her. After opening the box, she saw another box nestled inside. A bakery box. Her mouth watered. She pulled off the top and found half a dozen ensaimades, with a slip of paper wedged between two of them. She recognised Jon’s handwriting.

Enjoy these and I’m looking forward to you giving me one of your exquisite blowjobs.

Maggie smiled, folded the paper and set it on the countertop. She popped one of the pastries into her mouth. Pure joy. Its taste took her back to the morning she’d woken up to find Jon offering one to her. They’d made love shortly after. If only he was here right now, she’d march him into the bedroom and forget about work.

Maggie hadn’t realised she’d eaten three of the pastries until she saw the half-empty box sitting in front of her. She closed the lid before she gave into more temptation and had to go looking for bigger pants.

* * * *

Jon hoped Maggie had received his gift. He’d intended to email her but she’d beaten him to it with a phone call.

“Thank you for the lovely surprise.”

“Have you eaten all of them yet?”

“No, just four. I’ll let my daughters fight over the last two. So don’t be surprised if I’ve gained weight when you see me.”

“So they took away your craving?”

“They took the edge off my sweet craving. After all these months without it I think I’m about to have my period. My boobs are sore and I always crave something sugary right before that time of the month.”

“Now I know what to get you for Christmas, ensaimades of the month club.”

Maggie laughed. “That wouldn’t be so bad. And Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And that means you’ll soon be in Maine.”

“And I’m holding you to the great blowjob,” Jon said.

“It will be the first thing I do to you when you get here.”

“I’m rock hard just thinking about it.”

 

* * * *

“Wow, these things are delicious! Who did you say sent them?”

Maggie hadn’t thought about that question popping up when she’d offered one of the pastries to Katie when she stopped by the next day.

“Julie,” she said.

“Now that’s what I call a true friend.” Katie wiped confectioner’s sugar off her lip. “What’s this?”

Maggie went cold when Katie read the note from Jon.

“Oh my, wow, hot stuff,” Katie said.

“Isn’t it just? I don’t know how that got in there. Maybe someone from the bakery put it in there by mistake.” She’d turned bright red and knew she couldn’t blame the hot flashes this time around. This blush was caused by pure embarrassment.

“Did you know you’ve turned scarlet? We’ve had a feeling you’re hiding something from us ever since you got back from vacation. Are these really from Julie or did you find yourself a Spanish lover after all?”

“Don’t be stupid. I wasn’t there long enough for that.” Shit, she’d never lied to her children before. Well, maybe the odd white lie or two, but those had been in their own best interests.

Katie eyed her. “Maybe you don’t want to tell us but, like you’ve always said, something brings the truth to the surface sooner or later.”

“Wow, is that the time? I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in less than thirty minutes.” Maggie wasn’t lying, and a change of subject was an easy way to get Katie off the subject of Spanish lovers.

* * * *

Maggie shivered.

She hated the examination robes at the best of times. Today it was snowing and cold outside. She hadn’t been able to warm up since she’d left the house. Rebecca, Dr Varney’s nurse, walked into the room and sat in front of the computer. “We just need to update a few things on your medical history… Okay, here are your test results from two days ago… Are you taking any prescription medications?”

“No.”

“Have you experienced hot flashes, mood swings, sleeplessness?”

“Yes, to all three.”

“Are you sexually active?”

She had been and would be again once Jon arrived. “Yes.”

“Have you experienced any vaginal dryness during sex?”

“Sometimes, yes.”
But not with Jon.

Dr Varney chose that moment to walk in. He looked like he’d gained a good ten pounds since the last time she’d seen him. His hair was more grey than brown and there was less of it. He’d been Maggie’s doctor for fifteen years and, seeing him now, she realised how time had flown by.

“Hi, Maggie, how are you doing?”

“Pretty good.”

“All ready for the holidays?” he asked, pulling up a stool and squatting on it. A roll of fat oozed over his belt.

“Just about. My daughter Katie’s in charge of things this year.”

“She had a baby this past summer, is that right?”

“Yes, a little girl.”

Dr Varney turned to face the computer and moved the mouse. “So how’s life as a grandmother treating you?”

“I didn’t think I’d like it, but it’s kind of fun.” Maggie saw what were probably her medical notes and test results appearing on the screen.

Dr Varney continued speaking with her as he moved the mouse over them. “I see we have your blood and urine tests back and I think we should chat before I examine you.” He swung around on the stool to face her.

Something wasn’t right. Maggie sensed it and shivered more. She was sick. That’s what he wanted to talk to her about. It was written all over his face.

“I know you’ve come here today because you think you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause but that’s not what’s wrong with you, Maggie.”

“It’s not? I mean, everyone’s been telling me they went through the same thing. Even my mother said she did.”

He took her hand. Doctors always did that when they had bad news, right? Fuck, she was terminally ill. Just how long did she have left? How would the girls take the news? She’d never see Emily grow up.

“I know this might come as a shock to you but…you’re pregnant.”

“No, there’s no way I can be.” Maggie shook her head. He had to be crazy to say such a thing.

“When was your last period?” he asked.

“The end of July but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve been irregular for almost a year now.”

“Your notes say you’re sexually active,” he said.

“Yes, but my partner used condoms every single time we made love.”

“They’re not one hundred per cent foolproof.”

Maggie knew that. How many times had she lectured her three daughters about that same topic over and over again when they’d gone out on dates? Who would have thought she’d be the one facing the unplanned pregnancy and not her children?

“But I just can’t be. I’m too…” Maggie burst into tears.

Dr Varney grabbed the box of tissues and offered her one.

She took one. Her whole world had fallen apart. “I’m done with being pregnant and having babies. I don’t want another one,” she sobbed into the tissue.

“Your mind and spirit might think your family’s complete, but your body has a different idea.”

“Are you sure? I mean, could the test have got mixed up? That happens, right?”

“It sometimes does, yes, but that’s not the case this time. Maggie, the baby’s father… Is he a permanent fixture in your life or someone you just occasionally have sex with?”

Jon… How will he take the news?
He’d told her over and over again that he disliked children and never wanted to be a father. He’d hit the roof. She’d never see or hear from him again. Shit, she should have been fitted with an IUD before she’d headed to Mallorca. But how could she have guessed she’d have had non-stop sex while she was there? Fuck, what a mess.

Maggie leant back on the examining table and blew her nose. “I think he’s going to be a long-term partner but he doesn’t want a family. When he hears this he might run miles away.”

“Not necessarily. I have lots of patients who have told me their partners have often changed their minds about wanting a family when they know they’re actually about to be a father.”

Jon wouldn’t. Maggie was sure of it. She’d lose him. “And he doesn’t live here. He’s a doctor in Mallorca… He’s also younger than me.”

Dr Varney offered her the box of tissues again. Had she already soaked one?

“Our next job is to figure out how far along you are. I know it’s tough when you’ve had irregular periods. When’s the last time you had sex?”

“Two weeks after Labour Day… That’s when I went to Mallorca.” That wonderful week together with Jon had obviously resulted in a very unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. Maggie blew her nose again.

Dr Varney pulled out a calendar from the drawer and flipped over the pages.

BOOK: Forbidden
8.51Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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